Ojeda Endorses Broihier in Primary Challenge

US Senate candidate Richard Ojeda endorsed retired Lt. Col. Mike Broihier Tuesday in Kentucky's Democratic Senate primary, as he hopes to challenge Mitch McConnell in November.

Ojeda, who is also a Democrat, is running for US Senate in West Virginia against incumbent Republican Shelley Capito, and Mike Broihier is endorsing him in his primary race as well. The former West Virginia State Senator is well-known for his 2018 run for West Virginia’s third congressional district seat.

“Mike Broihier is a farmer, so he knows how to work with his hands, he’s a teacher, so he understands the importance of handing things down to others, and he’s a Marine Lt. Colonel,” said Ojeda. “He’s somebody that you don’t have to worry when it comes to values, when it comes to standing up for what is right, and you don’t have to worry won’t represent the people, because make no mistake about it, Mike absolutely will.”

“There’s not a lot of daylight between Richard and I,” Broihier said. “He’s a retired combat veteran with two Bronze Stars, he’s a supporter of universal basic income, and he’s a teacher. Richard fought hard for teachers in West Virginia and right here in Kentucky - and we haven’t forgotten that. He has a heart of gold.”

Broihier said in a press release he looks forward to joining Ojeda in the US Senate, along with other Appalachian Democrats to make a new push for progressive policies, while Ojeda urged his followers to support Broihier.

“Kentucky, you can be the hero,” Ojeda said. “We have to find somebody who can beat Mitch McConnell. We have a man who prides himself on being the Grim Reaper in Washington, D.C. and is keeping our democracy in a stranglehold. Mike Broihier can change that.”

Broihier is one of ten candidates in the Democratic primary on June 23. Seven people are challenging McConnell in the Republican primary.